NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

The Main Street America Group Expands Rollout of Main Line BOP and Main Street Station for Commercial Lines in New England, Southeast

The product and system are now available in 18 of the states where super regional property-casualty insurance carrier Main Street America writes commercial lines business.

"Despite a challenging economy, our Main Line BOP continues to sell very well in the markets where we have introduced the product," said Henry Pippins, Main Street America's vice president of commercial lines. "It meets the needs of our 'Main Street' market for a comprehensive insurance product at an affordable price, making it an excellent value for the small business owner."

The product features 10 programs-condominium associations, garages, restaurants, light manufacturing, wholesale, retail, services, offices, apartments and contractor programs-with nearly 500 eligible classes

"We're seeing a boost in new written premium in all of Main Line BOP's programs, particularly contractors, which has always been a strong market for Main Street America, as well as in retail and restaurants, which is one of our newer programs," Pippins said.

In addition to broad eligibility, the product features more deductible and business income choices as well as important coverages such as identity theft, product withdrawal (manufacturing and wholesale), condo directors and officers, garage keepers broad form and many new optional coverages.

Main Street America's independent agents in Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont and South Carolina will quote and submit new business applications for Main Line BOP, as well as commercial auto and workers' compensation, on the company's new Main Street Station for Commercial Lines quoting and processing system.

Called "one of the best carrier systems out there" by several of Main Street America's independent agents, Main Street Station features real time rating, automated underwriting and business submission, all from one central place.

"Our agent-customers tell us time and time again how important it is that a carrier be easy to do business with," said Sue Burd, Main Street America's director of marketing. "We built our Main Street Station policy issuance system with this in mind. Its screen flow is logical, the navigation is straight-forward and at the same time, the system has the important features our customers need to service their customers quickly and effectively."

From late 2008 through 2009, Main Street America implemented Main Line BOP and Main Street Station for Commercial Lines in Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia.

About The Main Street America Group

With roots dating back to 1923, The Main Street America Group is a super regional insurance company that operates six property-casualty insurance carriers: NGM Insurance Company, Old Dominion Insurance Company, Main Street America Assurance Company, MSA Insurance Company, Great Lakes Casualty Insurance Company and Grain Dealers Mutual Insurance Company. Based in Jacksonville, Fla., Main Street America offers a wide range of commercial and personal insurance, and fidelity and surety bond products to individuals, families and businesses throughout the United States.

With more than $815 million in premium written exclusively by 1,500-plus independent insurance agents, the 87-year-old company insures more than 600,000 policyholders in 24 states. A.M. Best Company rates The Main Street America Group as an "A" (Excellent). Main Street America is the founding company partner of Trusted Choice, the global branding program of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. For more information about Main Street America, please visit www.msagroup.com.

The Main Street America Group
Mark Friedlander, 904-380-7461
friedlam@msagroup.com